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Blogging Chester County Exton Information Photography Projects Reviews

Fine Art prints done local

Recently, I was contacted by a client, asking if they could purchase two of my images, but as Posters prints (24×36 inches).

It is not usual for me to get Print orders from 5×7 to 11×17, but never something as big as 24×36!

I said Yes, and then began to panic, especially when I realized the two requested images were taken back in 2013, with my Canon EOS Xti/400D, which is only 10.1 megapixels!

Images taken at Marsh Creek State Park during a sunset.
Images taken at Marsh Creek State Park during a sunset.

Going Big

Starting on Google, I searched for suggestions on how to enlarge files without losing quality.

I knew from passing interests, that there were some specialized software for doing larger than ‘normal’ sizes, and some of them were interesting, but I could not justify the cost for just two images.

Eventually, I found a trick with just using Photoshop.

Basically, instead of enlarging it in one step, in my case 3888×2592 to 11096×7396 (or 285.39%), you do a series of incremental enlargements at 110%, up to the size needed.

I did it both ways, and you can see the difference!

But, one problem.

Too Big

The final working file size.

Hay Bales at Stroud Preserve 2013
Some stylized hay bales taken in Chester County PA.

The color image, “Marsh Creek sunset” is a 16-bit HDR (11096×7396 @ 300dpi) file weighing in at 1.38 GBs; the B&W images was not as bad, coming in at 403 MBs.

Dealing with files over 1 GB is not usual for me on my local computer, but I knew my Print house in New York City (NYC) had a 200MB limit (TIFF 8-bit sRGB, no compression).

With the color file, the first thing that I did was reduce it from 16-bit to 8-bit, which got me down to 466MBs.

Finally, after some design changes of the poster layout, I got both files down to about 378MBs, still far too large for NYC.

Finding a Printer

So I started to look at local places to print, and Brilliant Studios in Exton popped up.

After looking at their home page, I needed to visit!

My Tech Geek was kicking in!

During my days at Kodak and TV Guide, I had to visited many commercial print facilities around the United States and Canada, and on the surface, Brilliant Studio looked too good to be true.

So I emailed the main contact on the website, Bob Tursack, who also happens to be the CEO, with the information on my  poster project.

Changing Printers is not an easy thing, especially when it comes to color printing.

I’ve been using the same Printer in NYC for 10+ years, so switching to someone new, on such a unique project, from my point of view, was very risky.

During several email exchanges with Bob, I mentioned my file size issue, and to my surprised, I never got the idea there was a limit, which seemed odd considering the 200MBs limit in NYC.

I was also introduced to the term giclée printing, “fine art digital prints made on inkjet printers.

Sounds like a marketing term, but when you dig deeper, there is a broader color range and papers.

Bob suggested the Hahenmule Baryta Gloss, “this paper has its own quality that is akin to traditional darkroom silver fiber papers”.

Now he had me hooked.

In my youth, I spent hundreds of hours in the darkroom, printing black & white photos, for hobby, school and work, so this was music to my ears!

After a day or so, late in the holiday season, Bob invites me in for Proofing.

I was excited.

Oh Wow!

I arrived at a building, that I had passed countless times in my 17+ years of living in Downingtown, questioning what I was going to see.

I walked into the reception area, and introduced myself to the receptionist.

While waiting, I looked around at various books on the tables and prints covering the walls.

My commercial printing background was kicking in.

Was this stuff being printed here?

I flipped through several art books, and the quality was amazing.

After several minutes, Bob arrived and escorted me back to the Proofing area.

Past the beautiful offices and sub-studios, and finally into the main printing area.

My jaw was on the floor!

Traditionally, high volume color printing is not a clean activity.

This place seemed spotless.

Even their 60+ year old Heidelberg offset printer looks brand new!
(If I remember correctly it was imported from Germany and rebuilt!)

Anyhow…

I snickered to myself as I entered the nearby Proofing booth, similar to the one I entered at Kodak, on my first day, to test for color blindness and how many places had I visited that had no concept of controlled lighting.

Part of me was in Geek heaven.

Needless to say, the Proofs looked great, and things that I worried about in my head, did not come up.

A couple of days later, I returned to pick up the final 24×36 prints, and they were gorgeous!

The size, print quality and paper all worked together to enhance the final pieces and I was extremely happy to present them to my client!

A Gem of a Neighbor

Again, I am blown away with this GEM of a Print house, right in my back yard, roughly 2 miles away!

I’m also amazed that I had never heard of them before, and they have been there since 2003!

As for pricing, it is definitely more expense then going with my NYC house, even with shipping, but now I have two options to present to future clients!

Update – A couple of days later, another new client wanted  two 11x14s, and I immediately sent the files to Brilliant Studios, and also got excellent prints! – I have printed these in the past, and the yellows tended to be a little ‘hot’, but when done via the giclée printing, they were still rich without being too vibrant.

 

So with that being said, who wants a Fine Art Print?

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Categories
Chester County Events Phoenixville Photo Essay Photo Journal Photography

Stable 12 Brewing Company

I was asked to do some behind the scenes photography of Stable 12 Brewing Company as they did their “First Canning” of their “Wild West – West Coast Style India Pale Ale”.

It was not hard to say “Yes” to this assignment, and off I was to Phoenixville.

Little did I realize, that “First Canning” was literally “First Canning”!

The Canning machine was in the final stages of being installed!

With that in mind, here are a few images from behind the scenes!

Bring Christmas time, the main bar was decorated for the season!

Stable 12 - The main bar area at Christmas time.
The main bar area at Christmas time.

What’s on tap?

What is on tap?
What is on tap?

The folks behind the beer.

If you want more on the story behind the beer

I want to thank the folks at Stable 12 Brewing Company for allowing me to document such a unique event!

Good luck and hope to see you all soon!

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Categories
BWW – Fire & Wine Festival Chester County Events Pennsylvania Photo Journal Photography Sadsburyville

2016 Black Walnut Winery – Fire & Wine Festival

Various images taken at the 2016 Black Walnut Winery – Fire & Wine Festival in Sadsburyville in Chester Country PA.

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Categories
Chester County Chester County Balloon Festival Photo Journal Photography

Remote Controlled Airplanes – CC Balloon Festival

The Remote Controlled Airplanes exhibition was a new addition this year balloon festival, and proved to be a big draw for everyone there.

The rc planes were paraded through the excited crowd.

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Moving a jet rc airplane runway through the crowd.

Only to be followed by this bi-winged beauty!

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Moving a bi-wing rc airplane runway through the crowd.

Here are some pilot/owners of these beautiful creations –

Bi-Wing Airplane – Pitts Python

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Proud pilot/owner with his bi-wing airplane.
Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A bi-wing airplane with some balloons.

Jets Airplane – Royal Air Force (Red Arrows)

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A pre-flight check with pilot /owner.

The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force based at RAF Scampton. The team was formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
More pre-flight checks.

The amount of detail that goes into these machines is incredible!

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Cockpit detail of one of the jet airplanes.

In flight images

Watching these planes zoom past you, is incredible!

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Nothing but clear skies…

It was generally agreed by those photographers in the in-field, that this craft was the hardest to photograph…

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Coming in for a landing…

One wonder… The announcer was saying that this jet was buzzing by the field at 170 mph!!

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A crowd of interested viewers.

And it still looks fast when grounded!

Candy Drop

Also new, was the candy drop!

Images of remote controlled airplanes taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Candy drop time!!

One of the traditional single winged airplanes, flew up twice, and dropped candy over the field, with children and parents eagerly rushing to gather as much as they candy as they could.

Personally, I hope they continue the rc airplane event/exhibit!

If you happen to know more info on these planes, I would like to update any info that is incorrect!

Questions and Information can be addressed to the Contacts page.

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Categories
Chester County Chester County Balloon Festival Events Photo Journal Photography

The Balloons of CC Festival

I regret that I only got to spend Saturday afternoon at the Festival, but I did get to see the various balloons in action!

Inflation, the good kind!

A common terminology mistake, you do not NOT “Blow Up” balloons… That is not a good thing, because there is nothing left, and someone might get hurt…

Balloons must be Inflated!

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A river of balloons.

After being rolled out, fans are used to start the ‘cold’ inflation –

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Another interior view of a balloon.
Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A look on the inside…

Once the pilot feels the time is right, the ‘hot’ inflation begins –

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
A pilot watching the flames inflate the balloon.

And the splendor of the rising balloons as they take shape in the air!

and finally the balloons with its passengers floats off into the wind currents…

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
No One Was Hurt!! – It’s just the angle!

and the sunset…

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Balloons at sunset…

off they go…

Images taken during the 10th Anniversary Chester County Balloon Festival at New Garden Airport in Toughkenamon PA.
Good Night Balloons!

If you have any Questions or Comments, please feel free to Contact me!

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